Medical Conditions

It sure does seem that there’s a pill for almost every type of disease imaginable nowadays. And especially when it comes to vitamins, Americans are a supplement-happy group! We spend close to $14 billion a year on vitamins and supplements. And nearly 40% of adults in the U.S. regularly take multivitamins. But the real question is are regular multivitamin users actually benefiting from them? The research might suggest otherwise.

The question of “should I or shouldn’t I take a multivitamin” started gaining traction back in the ’70’s when Nobel Prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling wrote Vitamin C and the Common Cold. Pauling recommended taking 3,000 mg of vitamin C every day to ward off colds and prevent degenerative and sometimes incurable diseases. This was in shocking contrast to the 60mg recommended daily allowance (RDA) at the time. And wow, did people listen!Sales of vitamin C quadrupled, and an estimated 50 million individuals in the U.S. were supplementing with vitamin C by the mid 1970s. A number of studies subsequently followed to discredit Pauling’s claims, but they certainly did little to discourage vitamin marketers from taking advantage of the hype.read more

Physical activity means moving your body and using your muscles and energy more than you do when resting. Daily physical activity will benefit your physical, psychological, and social health. It is also one of the best ways that everyone, meaning children, adults, and people with disabilities can prevent or improve many chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, and some cancers. Other important benefits may include:

Stronger bones and muscles

Increased energy

Lower blood pressure

Improved mood and mental health

Maintained healthy weight

Improved sleep

Improved concentration

Improved memory

Improved learning ability

Decreased stress

Reduced aging and menopause symptoms

Improved ability to perform daily activities

Diminished risk of accidental falls

There are some simple guidelines to help you determine your physical activity. According to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Physical Activity Guidelines, adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity (30 minutes/day for 5 days), or 75 minutes a week of vigorous intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous intensity aerobic activity. Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily.read more

You all know the mantra “Look out for #1!” And in today’s healthcare world, it could not be more confusing. Every day you are faced with having to make decision after decision on a multitude of daily activities…what to wear, what to eat, when to exercise, work priorities…and the list goes on. Is it any wonder why you often forego making the important decisions, like the ones involving your health. Most of you have done it at some point in time…neglecting your own health, thinking “it’s not too bad” (yet!)…”I’ll give it another week” (after 6 months already)…”I don’t have time to deal with it now”…Have you ever thought about having a team of knowledgable medical professionals that you could go to or contact at any time with any issue who you could count on to help you to make the best possible healthcare decision for you while eliminating any guesswork?read more

Would you like to make better, more educated, and more informed decisions regarding your health? Are you tired of relying on pain pills, have been told you would benefit from painful injections, or worse, been told that surgery is your only option? Are you looking for a permanent solution to eliminate your pain so you can live better and get back to normal? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions then I have great news for you, and it’s absolutely free!!.read more

As women age gracefully, you are at a higher risk for developing many chronic diseases. From diabetes to heart disease, your risk increases with every year that passes. However, there are certain factors that you can change to improve your health risks. Factors such as lack of exercise, poor diet, and inadequate sleep patterns are things that you can change, which certainly could improve your health as you get older. However, there are certain health risks that, when not addressed early, could lead to chronic disease development or, in some cases, premature death. Let me explain…read more

If you’ve ever had an episode where you lost your balance it can be extremely scary! And the older you get the greater the chance you’ll lose your balance. As a matter of fact, 75% of Americans over 70 years of age are diagnosed as having “abnormal” balance. This makes it difficult for individuals to maintain stable upright positions when standing, walking, and even sitting. Among the elderly, balance problems are slightly higher in women, although the difference is rather small. And when people reach their 80s, balance problems increase by 30%. That’s why it’s extremely important to see a Physical Therapist who can develop individualized physical activity plans to help improve mobility, stability, and strength of people with balance issues.read more

We can’t avoid it. At some time or another, most of us will experience pain of some sort that could potentially be debilitating. Some individuals tolerate pain much better than others. But why is this so? And where is the pain originating? Can it be that it is all in our head?

What is pain?

Pain is “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage,” according to The International Association for the Study of Pain. So based on this definition, pain can arise from actual injury to a tissue (i.e., muscle, tendon, bone) or the potential for injury to a tissue. Regardless of whether the damage is actual or potential, one thing is certain–individuals will perceive pain as real!read more

We’ve all had stress in the workplace at some time or another in our business lives. The question remains–how well do you deal with it? Do you tend to ignore it so it continues to build, developing into a chronic condition that can affect all aspects of your life? Or have you used some of the suggestions I’ve given you in Parts 1 and 2 to help lessen your stress levels?

I previously stated that in order to manage stress effectively, you needed to address it in at least 3 areas of your life. In Part 1, I spoke about Physical Health, and ways to De-stress your body. In case you missed Part 1, you can access it here. In Part 2, I talked about Mental Health, and ways to De-stress your mind. In case you missed Part 2, you can access it here. Now we’re going to finish out with the 3rd area in your life to address–your Sense Of Purpose.read more